US5735524A - Blackjack type card game - Google Patents

Abstract

A card game played with a fifty six card deck and played to a predetermined unique point total on a table having a playing surface and several player stations surrounding said table and a card dealer station located between two of the players, and said dealer does not play hands, in which each station where a player is located initially receives two cards face down with the player adding the value of said cards and each player in rotation to receive one or more cards face up or to stand on the original cards in an endeavor to reach the point total, each player playing against the other of said players and a winning player having the point total or a total less than or greater than said point total.

Description

This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/893,816, filed Jun. 4, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,415, which is a Continuation In Part of 07/682,201, filed Apr. 5, 1991 (now abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a card game such as would be played at a casino and to a table, special deck of cards, player positions and wager card and bet placement areas.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various prior art card games used in gaming casinos are relatively complicated and require knowledge beyond an unskilled person player.

Blackjack or Twenty-one is an exception to the above paragraph as it does possess a simplicity of counting. It is also a widely played casino game. However, in certain states where there is local option for card casinos, Blackjack is outlawed per se by the state.

Applicant is aware of a casino card game protected by U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,087, however this game requires players to maintain two pairs of cards while playing as well as requires the dealer to play and usually is the bank. Such play is entirely different than the present invention.

Therefore, it is desirable to create other card games for playing in casinos that are both simplistic as well as a "legal" card games within the political body having jurisdiction over card casinos.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a relatively simple card game to play that is not Blackjack but requires counting of card values to reach a predetermined unique point total or near thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a card game with the object to make a point total count of twenty two points or as close to it as possible.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a card game wherein the deck of cards used totals fifty six cards which is a conventional deck of fifty two cards with four jokers.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a card game wherein the card values on two's or deuces through nines are their face value for points, tens and the count cards count as 10 pints each, and aces and jokers count as 1 or 11 points each.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a table and table covering which includes player stations for up to eight players plus a dealers station or "house station." The players may be seated around the table while it is preferable that the dealer stands.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a card game where the dealer in the dealers station or "house station" does not deal cards to the station but only to the players. However, initially one of the players is designated the "dealer" by some means such as the throw of dice and all play for that round starts to the left of the "dealer" and progresses clock wise ending with the dealer. The dealer then with each new hand moves clockwise to the next person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a card game wherein the table includes individual player stations wherein a plurality of wagers may be positioned as well as for placement of "up" and "down" cards.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a card game wherein each player makes a wager or wagers and is then dealt two face "down" cards. Each player may look at the face "down" cards and consider whether the total count makes 22 or less. If 22 that person could automatically be a winner stands pat or may receive "hits" in the form of additional "up" cards until 22 is reached or exceeded or the total is less than 22 but considered by the player sufficient to "stand on."

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following part of the specification wherein details have been described for the competence of disclosure, without intending to limit the scope of the invention which is set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These advantages may be more clearly understood from the following detailed description and by reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the table to be used for the card game with a playing surface.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the table showing the arrangements on the table together with the positions of the players and house dealer; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of a player's station.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the preferred method of play.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The table generally designated 10 can be very similar to or may be a conventional poker table as used in gaming casinos. The table is generally elliptical with opposedstraight sides 12 and 14 androunded ends 16 and 18 uniting thesides 12 and 14. Thevertical support 20 may be one piece as shown or a veneer wrapped around legs (not shown). In addition afoot rail 22 may be attached to thesupport 20 for the feet of the players.

The table 10 preferably includes an upholstered raisedpad 24 that is positioned around the edge of the table 10 except for opening 26 in thestraight side 12. The opening 26 is known as the house dealers opening where thedealer 28 stands to deal cards, declare winners collect house amounts of money and to collect wagers from and pay players at the conclusion of a game.

The top of the table 10 is fitted with a playing surface or "felt" 30 which is usually a green felt pad with various indicia printed thereon for various player positions or player stations designated 32.

The table 10 is preferably equipped with an opening or dealers opening 34 in front of the dealers opening 26 to receive a dealer's tray (not shown) which may include chips and cards which can be used by the players.

In addition, next to opening 34 is a cash lock box 36, not seen, set into the table that has acover 38 with a slot to insert paper currency and aplunger 40 to push the paper currency into the lock box.

The particular table 10 illustrated in the drawings is designed to allow eightplayers 42 represented by circles with the numbers "1" to "8" therein to play there around. Thus, on the felt 30 there are illustrated eight player stations designated 32.

Turning now to theindividual player stations 32, FIG. 3 illustrates various parts of the station.

Each of thestations 32 include a card receiving area designated 44 which preferably includes a face downcard rectangle 46 and an elongated wagering and betting face upcard rectangle 48 which is aligned withrectangle 46. While tworectangles 46 and 48 are preferred and illustrated a single elongated quadrilateral may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. In is addition, any other closed sided shape would also work.

The face downcard rectangle 46 as with all of the station parts are preferably of a contrasting color from the color of felt 30.

Within the rectangle 46 anumber 50 is printed. This is the seat, player or station number which may assist thedealer 28 with play of the game. Also therectangle 46 is the area where the face down cards (see dotted lines) from a special deck of cards, to be explained, are dealt.

Within the wagering and upcard rectangle 48 there is positioned a principle bet receiving area orcircle 52 and a house collection circle 54 to be explained. Thedealer 28 will deal face up cards (see dotted lines) within the perimeter of therectangle 48.

The reason for having specific outlined areas to receive cards is to control the game and lessen chances of cheating by a player.

The number "1" in thecircle 52 designates to theplayer 42 that this is the area into which the wager is placed. In the case of gaming casinos chips are bought and used and stacked within thecircle 52 when wagering.

The "C" in circle 54 identifies the collection area for chips to be paid to the "house" or gaming casino by each player for the priviledge of playing, to defray expenses and for profits to the casino. The reason for the collection area is that in the present game the house does not play, only player plays player.

On both sides of the card area 44 are supplemental wagering circles 56 and 58 for making side bets and supplemental collection circles 60 and 62. The supplemental wagering circles 56 and 58 contain the numerals "2" and "3" which are to be used for additional or side wagers against other players all to be explained. The collection circles 60 and 62 will receive the supplemental chips aplayer 42 pays to the house for the privilege of making supplemental wagers in either circle "2" or circle "3".

In order to describe the operation of the invention, the rules of the game shall be set out below:

PLAY

The game is played with a deck of fifty six cards, four jokers being added to a conventional deck of fifty two cards. For the sake of fairness in the drawing of cards and to keep control of the game a maximum of eightplayers 28 may be allowed. A conventional deck of fifty two cards may also be used without the need for any additional cards.

The house or casino furnishes the table 10 and adealer 28 who does not play. The dealer's functions are to determine that the wager is proper, deal the cards, collect the house portion of wages and settle the wagers declare winners of the players. In addition, the dealer is to keep track of the side wagers using thesupplemental circles 56 and 58.

The object of the game is to make a point total as close to twenty two as possible. Cards numbered two through nine count as their face values, tens and all court cards count as ten points each, aces and jokers count as one or eleven each.

Once a "dealer" is selected from among theplayers 42 at a table 10 by a roll of dice or other means, a token may be placed in front of that player and all play rotates clockwise from thefirst player 42 to the left of the "dealer".

However, before play begins and cards are dealt it is is necessary to place a wager incircle 52. This is the primary place for wagers up to a house set maximum. All players must make a wager not to exceed the maximum and place it incircle 52. Thesupplemental circles 56 and 58 are optional for aplayer 42. These preferably are arranged to allow higher maximum wagers, withcircle 56 having one maximum and circle 58 having a still higher wager maximum.

Once the wagers are made around the table 10, thedealer 28 will see that the house percentage is placed in collection circles 54 and 60 and 62 if supplemental wagers are made.

With the wagers made and the "dealer" chosen, play commences. The dealer will deal a first round of two cards down to each player placing then in therectangle 46. The player may look at the cards. At this point theplayers 42 may make additional wagers before drawing additional cards or may stand pat on the two down cards. Each player plays the other players and not the house.

Each player is then given an opportunity to draw additional cards in a second round which are dealt face up in therectangle 48. The object is to draw cards to make a total as close to twenty two as possible. However, the game differs from traditional Blackjack in that hands totaling more than twenty two points are not automatically "busted," but theplayer 42 may not draw further cards once they total more than the twenty two points. Of course it is possible for one exceeding twenty two to win. As an illustration if one player has cards totalling twenty four and another has cards totaling nineteen points the former would win this as a ranking of the points.

Also, it is possible to have multiple winners in a game where they are tied in points or they each have the same difference above and below twenty two, i.e. twenty total points and twenty four points.

The present card game also differs from Blackjack in that if the original two cards dealt to a player total twenty two the player does not automatically turn the cards over. The reason is that in the preferred embodiment the players are in effect playing each other such as in poker. Therefore, the person with twenty two merely places a second wager on the table if he wishes and passes when the house dealers ask him if he wants any additional cards.

Further, in the present card game a player may not "split" opening cards if there are, as an example two kings. In addition, there is no "doubling" as is allowed in Blackjack.

Once the first two cards are dealt the house dealer will then deal face up additional cards to players who verbally or physically request cards. Again the player selecting additional cards is endeavoring to have a total card count of twenty two.

At the conclusion of a game, the house dealer will declare a winner or winners then pay the winners from the losers wagering circles in rotation starting from the left of the player "dealer."

As an alternative method of play, it is possible to offer the player "dealer" a chance to bank the game, but again the house dealer does not play a hand.

Finally, while the preferred game calls for a desired point total to be twenty two, it is possible to increase the total above that number without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangements of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangements herein before described being merely by way of example. I do not wish to be restricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned, except as defined in the accompanying claims, wherein various portions have been separated for clarity of reading and not for emphasis.

Claims (8)

I claim:

1. A card game apparatus for a number of players comprising:

a table having a playing surface and a periphery, a number of player stations provided around said table adjacent said periphery, and a non-playing card dealer station located between two of said players stations;

each of said player stations only include a card receiving area upon which to receive cards, and at least one wagering area, and at least one collection area for receiving an amount from a player to be paid to the establishment wherein said card game is played;

a deck of at least fifty two conventional playing cards, said game being one in which it is played to a predetermined unique point total for players located at said player stations, wherein a card dealer deals two cards from said deck of cards face down which may be inspected by said player at the station adding the value of said two cards, the value being achieved from the face value of cards from two to nine, from a value of ten for all ten cards and count cards and a value of one or eleven for all aces and jokers, but does not participates in the playing or wagering of said card game and additional cards from said deck of cards offered by said dealer face up to each player in rotation wanting to receive said cards in said card receiving area in an endeavor to reach said predetermined unique point total, each player playing against the other said players in said game;

one or more of said players having a winning hand when each respective point total of a players accumulated cards is achieved or are above or below said predetermined unique point total yet closer thereto than other players, and one or more said other players having a losing hand when each respective point total of a players accumulated cards is farther from said predetermined unique point total then said winning point total.

2. A card game apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are fifty six cards namely a conventional deck of fifty two cards with four jokes added.

3. A card game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said predetermined unique point total is twenty two.

4. A card game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein there are three wagering areas, one within said card receiving area and one on each side of said card receiving area and there is a collection area for each wagering area.

5. A card game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said playing surface is one color and said player stations are of a contrasting color.

6. A card game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said card receiving area for each station is split into two areas, one to receive face down cards and said other to receive face up cards.

7. A card game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said wagering area, said collection area and said card receiving area of each player station are areas outlined of a color different from the color of said playing surface.

8. A card game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said wagering areas contain numbers therein representing areas where different maximum amounts may be wagered.

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